THE sun has hidden itself away, the leaves are just beginning to turn brown, and it’s starting to get a little colder, all of this can only mean one thing — it’s nearly time for Launceston Carnival.

Despite the cooler weather, the North Cornwall town is chomping at the bit to get going with 2024’s carnival celebrations.

Windmill Hill Launceston Carnival
Windmill Hill School got stuck in at Launceston Carnival 2023 (Tindle)

Each year, the town is transformed into a hive of fun and games, with an array of colour dancing through the streets and plenty of activities to get involved with.

And of course, what is a carnival without royalty? This year, young local resident, Arla has been crowned as fairy princess.

Music, food, and colour will all be on the agenda with fairground rides, face painting and of course the iconic procession on offer.

For the much-loved line up, residents are being asked to stretch their creative fingers, dust off their paint brushes and build their very best float to be paraded through the town.

There are plenty of classes to get involved with, including:

  • Visiting Senior Royalty
  • Visiting Junior Royalty
  • Adult Walking Group
  • Children Walking Group
  • Single Walker
  • Illuminated Walking (Group or Single)
  • Children Float
  • Comic Float
  • Historic/ Artistic Float
  • Young Famers Club
  • Community/ Organisation Float
  • Trade Vehicles
  • Classic or Vintage Vehicles

Over the last 12 months, the carnival committee have been working hard to raise funds to support this year’s event. Residents enjoyed a Wine and Wisdom evening, a fundraising concert in the town hall and the chance to win big at a bingo night.

Launceston Carnival Bingo Fundraiser
Kath Dymond, Golda Heywood, Dave Gordon (carnival chair), former Launceston Carnival Queen Jessica Heywood, and Emma Heywood receiving donations following the bingo fundraiser (Submitted)

Thanks to fundraising efforts, sponsorship and generous donations, this October’s event will see a variety of activities to get involved with.

Among things on offer to residents is street entertainment, food and drink outlets, live music, fairground rides, a spot the mistake competition, a scarecrow competition, the annual process, all rounded off with an impressive firework display, lighting up the chilly autumn sky.

Each year, residents and businesses get stuck in with the celebrations

With so much happening, the carnival committee are always on the look out for an extra helping hand.

A spokesperson from the committee said: “Well, well, well, we are in the run up to carnival and there is lots for us to do to get ready as a committee. We are always on the lookout for some extra help on the day (or even leading up to the big event) so if you are interested in getting involved please drop us a direct message or contact us via the website.

“We really would love to hear from you! There is lots of ways you can help out volunteering to marshal the road closures and along the route to keep everyone safe, collect donations in the collection buckets, put up and pack down the equipment/signage/barriers on the day, even pouring cups of tea for the helpers and judges!

“We would love to hear from you if you can help in any way!”